Bachelor of Science Degree
Completion of a minimum of 120 credits (123 crs. if the student took MTH 1825 at MSU) is required for a MSU Bachelor's degree. For the Bachelor of Science, Zoology majors also have three sets of requirements. One of those sets of requirements is defined by the University, another by the College of Natural Science (CNS). The third set of requirements, a minimum of 33 credits in Zoology courses, is met by choosing one of seven concentrations offered by the Zoology Department. Additional credits from general elective courses usually will be needed to reach 120 (123) credits.
Each concentration has required courses which focus on a particular area of Zoology. For some concentrations, the required courses do not add up to the necessary 33 credits: in these cases, the remaining credits come from Zoology elective courses. Choosing these Zoology elective courses is where students can tailor their coursework to their individual interests, potential careers or possible work environments. Thus, this major in zoology works well for students who seek professional employment in animal biology, or who seek admission to graduate programs in animal biology or to health-related professional schools.
These requirement lists are for informational purposes. Students are expected to check with their advisor at least once a year to verify requirements and to discuss program planning and course selection.
Information for persons with disabilities.
Degree Requirements
General Degree requirements
University requirements
College of Natural Science requirements
Zoology Department requirements: complete one concentration
ELectives
GENERAL DEGREE Requirements:
- 120 Credits minimum to graduate (minimum 123 for students who took MTH 1825 at MSU)
- 33 Credits minimum in concentration
- 2.0 minimum Overall GPA
- 2.0 minimum GPA in the major
UNIVERSITY Requirements:
| Complete all of the following courses: |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRA 110-150 | Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures | F, S, U | 4 |
| IAH 201-210 | Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities | F, S, U | 4 |
| IAH 211 (or higher) | Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities | F, S, U | 4 |
| ISS 2XX | Integrative Studies in Social Science | F, S, U | 4 |
| ISS 3XX | Integrative Studies in Social Science | F, S, U | 4 |
| (F = Fall, S = Spring, U = sUmmer, KB = Kellogg Biological Station) |
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NOTE: A minimum of two [of the four required] ISS or IAH courses must emphasize diversity. This Integrated Studies Diversity requirement is fulfilled with the completion of at least one “N” course and one “I” course. A “D” course may substitute for either one “N” or one “I” requirement, but not both.
"I" - emphasizes international and multicultural diversity
"N" - emphasizes national diversity
"D" - emphasizes both international/multicultural and national diversity.
Thus, the Diversity requirement is satisfied in one of two ways:
a. by taking one course designated "I" and one course designated "N" OR
b. by taking one course designated "D" and one course designated either "I" or "N".
The course designation of I, N or D is in parentheses at the end of the course title in the MSU Course Descriptions catalog. (Example: IAH 201 is a "D" emphasis course.) If none of these letters is present, the course will not satisfy the Integrated Studies Diversity requirement.
COLLEGE of NATURAL SCIENCE Requirements:
| Complete all of the following courses: |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS 110 | Organisms & Populations | F, S, U | 4 |
| BS 111 | Cells and Molecules | F, S, U | 3 |
| BS 111L | Cells and Molecules Lab | F, S, U | 2 |
| CEM 141 | General Chemistry | F, S, U | 4 |
| CEM 161 | Chemistry Laboratory I | F, S, U | 1 |
| CEM 251* | Organic Chemistry I | F, S, U | 3 |
| CEM 252* | Organic Chemistry II | F, S, U | 3 |
| CEM 255 | Organic Chemistry Lab | F, S, U | 2 |
| PHY 231 | Introductory Physics I | F, S, U | 3 |
| PHY 232 | Introductory Physics II | F, S, U | 3 |
| PHY 251 | Introductory Physics Lab I | F, S, U | 1 |
| PHY 252 | Introductory Physics Lab II | F, S, U | 1 |
| * CEM 252 builds on knowledge from 251. The Department recommends taking the organic chemistry classes consecutive semesters [e.g. FS - SS] so there is less of a break between courses. | |||
Pre-professional students may also wish to complete CEM 142 (3) and 162 (1) or 262 (2) to prepare for the MCAT and professional school. Admission requirements vary from school to school. Additional courses may be required. Check with each school and plan accordingly. |
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Complete one of the following courses: |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
| MTH 124 | Survey of Calculus I | F, S, U | 3 |
| MTH 132 | Calculus I | F, S, U | 3 |
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Complete one of the following courses: |
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| Course | Course Title | Semester Offered | Credits |
| MTH 126 | Survey of Calculus II | F, S, U | 3 |
| MTH 133 | Calculus II | F, S, U | 4 |
| STT 201 | Statistical Methods | F, S, U | 4 |
| STT 224 | Intro. to Probability & Statistics for Ecologists | S | 3 |
| STT 231 | Statistics for Scientists | F, S, U | 3 |
| STT 421 | Statistics I | F, S, U | 3 |
(F = Fall, S = Spring, U = sUmmer, KB = Kellogg Biological Station) |
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Prerequisite MTH courses: When you enter MSU, you must take a MTH placement test. Your score on this test may not be high enough to place you into the calculus classes listed above. In this case, you must enroll in pre-calculus classes.
If you place into MTH 1825, Intermediate Algebra, you must start you MTH sequence with this course. Once you pass this course, you may move on to the next pre-calculus classes, MTH 116 OR MTH 103 and 114.
If you receive a placement score of 9 - 14, your MTH sequence starts with mastering both College Algebra and Trigonometry. This knowledge is obtained by completing one of the options below:
The Zoology Department prefers that its students to complete both College Algebra and Trigonometry, as this provides the optimum preparation for calculus and statistics, as well as for upper level science courses.
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing your pre-calculus options:
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DEPARTMENT of ZOOLOGY Requirements:
To receive a BS Zoology, a student must complete a minimum of 33 credits in upper-level (300 +) Zoology courses. This requirement is met by completing one of the seven concentrations that the Department offers. Selection of a concentration should be made in accordance with that individual student's interests.
General ELECTIVES:
Most of the 120 (or 123) credits required for a MSU Bachelor’s degree come from the required University, College and department courses. Additional credits, however, may be needed to reach the total 120 (123) credits. These credits are called elective credits and may be taken in any discipline or any level. Elective courses can be chosen to:
- develop or expand skills, such as writing and analytical thinking.
- provide vocational skills, such as accounting or computer skills.
- explore topics you have always been interested in learning more about.
- complement your major and interests. For example, for a student interested in environmental issues, courses from Fisheries and Wildlife, Geography or Resource Development might be good choices. Other science-based options might include: Animal Science; Biochemistry: Entomology; Forestry; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics or Physiology. Psychology or Anthropology courses often complement Zoology courses well.
- complete an additional major, specialization or second degree.